BASL Vice President to resign
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Vice President, senior lawyer Anoma Goonethilake said she decided to resign from her position following the tense situation that arose during the special general meeting held this morning.
Explaining reasons behind the decision to resign, Ms. Goonethilake said, “Although the BASL President Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe claims the three resolutions passed today were unanimously agreed upon, only a certain fraction consented to them. Those who opposed to the resolutions were not given a chance to express their views at all. I feel the BASL President acted in a dictatorial manner during the meeting today and the resolutions passed are extremely biased,” she said.
Courtesy: DM Online
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It will be of everybody’s interest if we can find out what the three resolutions are. I believe they all are related to the CJs case.
The three resolutions are:
(1) to refrain from officially welcoming any new Chief Justice appointed on the basis of a vacancy created by wrongful impeachment
(2) In consideration of the speech made by the President on December 11, in which he stated the Parliamentary Special Committee report of the impeachment against the Chief Justice will be evaluated through an independent committee, we urge the President to reconsider the impeachment motion
(3) In the event where the President, the Speaker or the MPs who are signatories to the impeachment motion decide to proceed with it further, we urge them to take necessary measures to formulate and enact procedural laws with regard to the removal of judges of the superior courts while guaranteeing a fair trial that adheres to principals of natural justice before further proceedings are taken on the said impeachment.
The resignation of the eminent lady lawyer from BASL shows the depths to which it has sunk on this matter. BASL’s convoluted leadership of the slimy snake, Wijedasa Rajapaksa, has demonstrated double standards of unprofessional behaviour by this august body.
I too am curious to know what these resolutions were and whether they were for or against CJ.
Nicholas,
The 3 resoultions are:
1. In the light of the speech made by His Excellency the President on 11th December 2012 to evaluate the report of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee of the impeachment against the Chief Justice through an independent committee, we urge His Excellency to re-consider the impeachment.
2. In the event His Excellency the President and/or the Hon. Members of Parliament who are signatories to the impeachment resolution wish to proceed with it further, we urge His Excellency the President, the Hon. Speaker and the Parliament to formulate and enact procedural laws in relation to removal of the Judges of the Superior Courts while ensuring a fair trail by adhering to principles of natural justice before further proceedings are taken on the said impeachment.
3.In the event the incumbent Chief Justice is removed without giving an opportunity to have a fair trial in compliance with rules of natural justice, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka shall not welcome the newly appointed Chief Justice.
Well, not surprising. I do know there are lawyers in the leftist parties including the president himself. But vast majority of the lawyers belong to the so called upper class and they mostly support the UNP.
It is funny the BASL Vice President has resigned due to the same sort of reasons the BA has brought the resolution!
The lawyers are attempting to show they are a force to be reckoned. The University lecturers tried the same and when they were about to hit the bucket afetr 3 months of stop work, the leadership capitulated to unknown concessions offerred by BR.
Likewise, the BASL is being taken for a ride by it’s leader. The entire CJ episode is based on provisions of a UNP constitution. Will the UNP at this stage come out with a call for a total revamp of the constitution including abolition of the presidency? Ha ha, we will never see that. The Greenie King’s dream is to sleep at least for one night in Janadhipathi Mandiraya.
It is only Mahinda Chinthana that will suvive our land.